Fabio Quartararo can't hide his restlessness. In the paddock at the Marco Simoncelli Circuit in Misano, he spoke openly about his future with Honda in 2027. Every night, his mind drifts to Valencia, where he will make his debut on the RC213V. “Every night, I think about how that first outing with Honda will go,” he said in an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com.
The decision to move to Honda for next season is official. However, Quartararo must still finish a transitional season with Yamaha, the team that has nurtured him since 2019. Their relationship has become strained, especially after the Japanese manufacturer prevented him from participating in the Pirelli test in Austria next week. That ban sparked frustration and further muddied what was once a fairy-tale partnership.
In the interview, Quartararo reflected on his last two years at Yamaha. “I’m proud to have bounced back after a difficult 2024. When the bike worked better, especially over one lap, I knew how to react. Even though race results weren’t always what we wanted, at least I proved to myself that my speed is still there,” he said.
Tension between Quartararo and Yamaha is no secret. He admits the main cause is spending too long fighting for positions that weren’t where they should be. “In 2021 we fought for the title, in 2022 too even though we didn’t win. But then three years in a row—2023, 2024, 2025—we really weren’t fighting where we wanted. Difficult moments arose, and I think everything is related to that,” he explained.
Nevertheless, he dismisses the idea that his relationship with Yamaha is completely broken. “It’s like a relationship: there are difficult moments, but that’s normal. We still have three months together, and this isn’t the time for fights after eight years. I hope in the future we can speak positively about everything we achieved,” he added.
Quartararo also highlighted the technical issues hampering Yamaha’s progress. “The first test in Barcelona this year surprised me positively. But after that we couldn’t take a step forward overall. When you bring out a new bike, there are a lot of things to adjust,” he said. He believes the slow development has made it difficult to compete at the top level.
The move to Honda is a new challenge. He is very enthusiastic but also aware of the risks. “I can’t wait to start a new chapter. Honda has a great history, and I want to be part of their revival,” he said. He hopes to provide valuable input for the bike’s development.
The 2026 season is still long, but for Quartararo, his focus is already divided. He wants to end his time with Yamaha honorably while preparing for his new adventure. “I will give everything until the last race. After that, I will look forward,” he concluded.
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